I think the intent of the thred is if you start your business "out of pocket" how long does it take you "recoup" your investment. My first post was immediately, if I purchase a truck for 5k and its worth 9k I made 4k, although its not "cash".

I'm not quite following the original post. If you still have the equipment it still has value = assests or equity. The only thing you really need to recoup is the depreciation.

I donated a truck and landscape tractor that I already had to my business when I started out, which was a benefit because I could not deduct their depreciation when I owned them personally. On top of that I was able to show an operating loss for the first two years even though I put a substantial amount of money in my pocket.

I think the intent of the thred is if you start your business "out of pocket" how long does it take you "recoup" your investment. My first post was immediately, if I purchase a truck for 5k and its worth 9k I made 4k, although its not "cash".

I would like to find some of these late model 2006 + > 100K Mile Diesel NPR /Fusio trucks people are talking about.

Ive got a 2000 Chevorlet cutaway, I bought it in 2007 for 6k with dovetail and trimmer racks inside the box. It took me 9 months to find it and it was a 4 hour drive from my house.

If you check truck trader, ebay, craigslist etc all the time and are willing to travel you will find a deal.

Definately thinking this is likely a good way to go. Just got to squirrel away some cash. Been paying down personal debt. Wife got laid off 4 years ago and decided to become a house wife. Glad she can do it but losing that 60K a year hurts. I was not sure we would make it 3 years ago but things are looking much better.